Get Involved

Below is a list of regional, state, national, and international sustainability organizations members of the Gallaudet University community can get involved with for volunteer, internship, and career opportunities.

International/National Organizations

Cooperative Food Empowerment Directive (CoFed)CoFed is a national training program and research institute empowering students to create ethically-sourced, cooperatively-run sustainable food storefronts and cafes on college campuses.

Energy Action CoalitionEnergy Action is a coalition of 30 organizations working to support and strengthen the student and youth clean energy movement in North America. Currently Energy Action is working on the Campus Climate Challenge, a grassroots effort to organize and win hundreds of clean energy victories on college campuses throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Engineers for a Sustainable WorldEstablished in 2002, ESW is comprised of students, university faculty and professionals who are dedicated to building a more sustainable world for current and future generations. The ESW website contains a list of campus sustainability projects of its members. Through the efforts of students and faculty in its collegiate chapters, ESW is working to integrate sustainability into the engineering curriculum at institutions across the country, including Cornell, Northwestern, and Stanford Universities as well as the University of Iowa.Focus The NationFocus the Nation is the country's premiere clean energy leadership development organization that is passionate about renewable energy and even more passionate about empowering today's Millennials with the imaginative, civic and systems-thinking skills to become powerful agents of change in their own communities. Through its campus-based programs on colleges across the country, and its annual ReCharge! Retreat on Oregon's iconic Mt. Hood, Focus the Nation is building the talent pipeline to change our country's energy story.National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology ProgramNational Wildlife Federation has a 20-year history of working with colleges and universities through its Campus Ecology program to improve their overall green educational programming and onsite sustainability. Its student outreach programs, campus consulting, climate action competition, and educational events and resources reach about 1,000 campuses each year.

Net ImpactNet Impact is a network of more than 10,000 new-generation leaders (MBAs, graduate students, and young professionals) committed to using the power of business to improve the world.Roots and Shoots - University NetworkRoots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute's international environmental and humanitarian program for youth of all ages. The Roots & Shoots University & College Program links institutions around the U.S. to further Jane Goodall's mission: empowering individuals to make a difference. The network is based out of Western Connecticut State University.

Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)The Sierra Student Coalition is a broad network of high school and college students from around the U.S. working to protect the environment. It has over 250 affiliated groups based at schools around the country. The SSC is the student arm of the Sierra Club. Like the Sierra Club, the SSC is run by volunteers who work on national and local campaigns that promote smart energy solutions and protect the environment. It develops environmental leaders through grassroots training programs and works to maximize its campus-based effectiveness through the creation and maintenance of state and national networks of high school and college students. A small staff supports the work of the Sierra Student Coalition's volunteer-run activities.

Sierra Youth Coalition (SYC)The Sierra Youth Coalition is a Canadian organization run by youth for youth, serving as the youth arm of the Sierra Club of Canada. SYC desires to see the working realities of sustainability integrated into the daily operations of life. Alongside promoting sustainable lifestyle choices, SYC works to transform high schools, universities, and governments into models of sustainability.

Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC)SEAC is a student and youth-run national network of progressive organizations and individuals whose aim is to uproot environmental injustices through action and education. Students in SEAC work to create progressive social change on both the local and global levels. SEAC builds networks, teaches skills, educates about issues, and puts ideas into practice with campaigns. It has conferences, email lists, a magazine, trainings, caucuses, campaign packets, and organizing guides.

SustainUSSustainUS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of young people advancing sustainable development and youth empowerment in the United States. Through proactive education, research, and advocacy at the policy-making and grassroots levels, the organization is building a future in which all people recognize the inherent equality and interdependence of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

United States Environmental Protection AgencyThe mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment including ensuring that environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable and economically productive; and working with other nations to protect the global environment.

United States Student Association (USSA)USSA works to build grassroots power among students to win concrete victories that expand access to education at the federal, state, and campus level. USSA is a voice for students on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and in the Department of Education.United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS)USAS is an international student movement of campuses and individual students fighting for sweatshop free labor conditions and workers' rights. USAS' three cornerstone campaigns are the Sweat-Free Campus Campaign, the Ethical Contracting Campaign, and the Campus Living Wage Campaign.

United Students for Fair Trade (USFT)USFT is a United States network of student organizations advocating around Fair Trade products, policies, and principles. They work to consolidate and coordinate the power of the over 100 active student Fair Trade organizations in the U.S. They also offer leadership development and capacity building, and serve as a resource group for student fair trade organizers.

USGBC StudentsRepresenting college and university-based groups of students, USGBC Students provides a way for hundreds of young leaders to come together and participate in hands-on green building experiences on their own campuses through service initiatives. USGBC helps students integrate sustainability themes into their coursework and advocate for sustainable university practices and policies. USGBC Students is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Regional/State Organizations

California Student Sustainability Coalition (CSSC)The CSSC was established over the summer of 2002 by a group of student representatives from throughout the University of California system, for the purpose of uniting students to fight for a sustainable University of California.Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)CCAN is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The organization is working with students in the area to reduce their campuses' greenhouse gas emissions.City WildlifeCity Wildlife's was formed in 2008 to establish the first-ever wild animal rescue and rehabilitation center within the District of Columbia, where orphaned, sick, and injured wild animals are treated and returned to the wild. Beyond that, it seeks to promote the enjoyment of native wildlife and harmonious co-existence with wild animals, and to protect the District of Columbia's wild places for animal habitats.

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa The Conservation Corps provides meaningful work for young people in managing natural resources, responding to disasters, conserving energy and leading volunteers. The organization provides training in resource management, safety, job-readiness and technical skills, and helps young people develop personal responsibility, a strong work ethic and greater awareness of environmental stewardship.D.C. Youth Environmental AllianceThe D.C. Youth Environmental Alliance (DCYEA) is a coalition of environmental youth groups in the Washington, D.C.-area working to affect positive environmental change in schools, communities, and government.

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE)SACE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes responsible energy choices that solve global warming problems and ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. The organization's campus program is helping students in the Southeast bring green power to their campuses.

Southern Energy NetworkThe Southern Energy Network works to build and facilitate an inclusive student- and youth-led movement in the Southeast that empowers communities, develops leaders, and promotes a clean, just, safe, and sustainable energy future.